Bad News for Ruto as Prominent Figure Reveals This Hours After Dumping UDA to Join Gachagua’s DCP

President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has suffered another political setback in the Mt Kenya region after Runyenjes Member of Parliament Eric Muchangi Karemba officially defected to Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

Karemba announced his decision on Friday, November 13, after meeting Gachagua at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County.

The second-term legislator, who was elected on a UDA ticket in the 2022 General Election, described DCP as his new political home and declared Gachagua his party leader.

Speaking after the meeting, Karemba said he was ready to work with the former deputy president to provide alternative leadership for Embu County and the country.

“I have found a home, a new one. My new home is Democracy for Citizens Party, DCP. My party leader is HE Rigathi Gachagua,” he stated.

Gachagua welcomed the lawmaker and announced plans to visit Runyenjes Constituency the following week to introduce him to residents and popularise the party.

The defection comes as DCP continues attracting elected leaders from the Mt Kenya region, where political loyalties have been shifting since the fallout between Ruto and Gachagua.

Karemba’s move also comes after Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji joined DCP. Mukunji has expressed interest in contesting the Embu governorship in the 2027 General Election, setting up a possible contest with incumbent Governor Cecily Mbarire.

Other leaders who have left UDA include Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, Kandara MP Chege Njuguna, Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha and Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba.

The latest development adds another chapter to the changing political landscape ahead of 2027.

Attention now turns to whether more elected leaders from Mt Kenya will follow Karemba into Gachagua’s DCP as the election approaches.

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